Analysis: Has FIFA abandoned fair play?

DUBAI: For a few joyous weeks, those nagging concerns were put to bed. The FIFA World Cup has a habit of doing that to football fans.

As the game’s flagship event kicked off across Mexico, the US and Canada, supporters from the 48 competing nations, not to mention millions of others around the globe, were caught up in the euphoria of non-stop matches taking place in some of the world’s most stunning stadiums.

The pre-tournament, and even early-tournament, concerns about FIFA’s organization and priorities were swept aside as fans on the ground and those watching at home seemed to suffer from a case of almost collective, wilful amnesia.

After all, despite the extra security for fans and teams alike, the banning of Somalian referee Omar Artan from entering the US, the treatment of the Iranian squad and officials, among other objectionable steps by the organizers tolerated by FIFA, who really has the time for performative indignation when the action on the pitch gets under way? 

When wonderful scenes of fans embracing the locals dominate social media, and the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are banging in goals in seemingly unprecedented numbers during the group stages?

When newcomers such as Curacao and Cabo Verde have captured the hearts of millions of even the most casual of fans? When icons such as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah, Salem Al-Dawsari and Riyad Mahrez are playing their last World Cup campaigns?

The goodwill could only last so long. As the tournament has progressed to the round of 32 and beyond, all the old concerns have returned, with reinforcements.

In the last week, FIFA has been accused of favoritism at best and all-out corruption at worst over a number